The pair cheerfully admit that they have “ripped off” many elements of their services from the Christian Church. “You’re asking people to do new things, so it makes sense for it to be familiar,” said Jones.
Religious people have been broadly supportive of the aims of the atheist church. “The only thing is, they’ve said they’ll have to think about what to do if it gets bigger,” Evans laughed.
“Actually, the biggest aggression towards us has probably been from atheists saying that we’re ruining atheism and not not believing in God properly. So that’s quite funny.”
The assembly met the approval of local vicar Dave Tomlinson, who came from his church two miles away to see what his new rivals were up to.
“Being here, I felt there was as much of what I call ‘God’ as there was in my own church this morning,” he said. “Everything we’ve said here would be completely at home in my church. I hope it grows and sustains.”
The second Sunday Assembly launches in the Scottish city of Glasgow at the end of March, while Evans will open an Australian branch in April.
She and Jones say they don’t want to exert too much control over any new assemblies — but they will keep a watchful eye over them.
“We only need one child sacrifice at a Sunday Assembly to spoil it for everyone,” Jones joked.
As for how far the idea could eventually spread, the pair are in the dark.
“Who knows?” said Evans. “We have no idea. We’re just enjoying finding out what it is.
Article Appeared @http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/03/08/britains-atheist-church-is-ready-to-expand-globally/